What is your take on 'Business Networks"

[KimH]

I have been invited to join a women's business network breakfast in a few weeks, not having any experience with this kind of thing I am not quite sure what to expect.

You pay a monthly fee to belong to this network and they have monthly breakfasts with guest speakers, have any of you have any experience with this and what are your thoughts?

[mother]

I think joining a network is super, especially in your line of work. A lot (if not most) of a business's big forward leaps come from who you know, not what you know. Besides, what have you got to lose? If you see it's a more of a knitting club, and you don't particularly like knitting, then walk away.

[KimH]

If you see it's a more of a knitting club, and you don't particularly like knitting, then walk away.

[mother]

I take it you're not into knitting?

[KimH]

I'm left handed, nobody ever managed to teach me properly. Cars are more my thing

[mother]

* Mental note: Design a "Knitting for beginners: Your very own dangling dice for your rear view mirror"-kit to send to Kim on her birthday *

hehehehe

[KimH]

hehehehe, Mother - you are truly a pleasure to have on this forum

[mother]

aaaw thanks Kim

[Dave A]

Sounds like good stuff to me. Making monthly meetings is reasonable (I think weekly is overkill for these network deals and has been a deal-breaker to me on the ones I've been invited to of late) and being a network for women I'm sure there will be far more than token support for each other.

Certainly worth a whirl, I reckon.

[Madison Scott]

Its seems that her invitation for business network is good and nice way to earn money online but before this you should check and determine all the things about her business network like business policies, income, etc. It can be fake or it can be beneficial, when you will get satisfy then without any doubt join her network.

[Blurock]

Small Businesses usually do not have marketing budgets. It is therefore essential to optimise opportunities to promote your business with the minimum expense. Networking forums allow you to meet people and build relationships which leads to referrals. Not all networks are worthwhile though, so attend a few meetings and see which ones work and which ones not.

I have built my little business on networking. I was lucky to have been approached by previous corporate clients, but all the new guys came from word of mouth referrals and presentations done to networking groups.

I have spent R300 on business cards and have created a free Yola website. I do spend money on entertainment such as dinner or shows to strengthen relationships and also reward successful referrals. My business is unique though, as I can only accommodate 4-5 clients at a time on a consultation basis. So it may not suit everyone to do it this way. I have been going for 3 years now and am not looking back.

Try networking. You'll be amazed how much you can learn from other people.